Racing Bike

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[okgo]

Second hand is a good idea. You should be aiming to buy a bike that is a year old that cost around £1k new.

http://bit.ly/MgSgFQ that is what I started with, good bike. Solid frame, good groupset. Average wheels but they all will be for £500.

[Kermit power]

What do you mean by "good as new without the granny ring"?

You're going to be severely limiting your options if you really want a bike with a single front chain ring.

[okgo]

At this price point they're all much for much. Geometry will not be that aggressive, you'll do well to get 105 group. Youll get poor value with Scott, giant and Orbea.

I assume he meant a double not triple? Obviously you'll want a 39/53 with a 11/21 so you can 'smash it hp'

[MadDad]

okgo said:

Obviously you'll want a 39/53 with a 11/21 so you can 'smash it hp'

Play nicely!!!


On a £500 budget I would be looking for a recognised brand and a 105 group set - I think you just need to put in some eBay time!

I did a quick search and this was the first thing I found, depending on your size it would be a great first bike; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/condor-italia-racing-bik...

[okgo]

MadDad said:

Play nicely!!!


On a £500 budget I would be looking for a recognised brand and a 105 group set - I think you just need to put in some eBay time!

I did a quick search and this was the first thing I found, depending on your size it would be a great first bike; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/condor-italia-racing-bik...

I was only jesting.

Any reason you are only considering Giant, Scott or Orbea?

[GaryGlitter]

eBay is your friend.

If you just search for road bikes, and specify a distance you're willing to travel to collect and a maximum price then you might drop lucky on something nice. Sift through the results and they'll be something to suit.

This is how I've ended up on a Planet-X Superlight Team (alu frame & carbon forks) with 105 for £300.

Well known brands (Giant/Specialized/Trek) go for silly money 2nd-hand as people are out for a specific make/model and get the red mist when bidding.

Be flexible and there's plenty to choose from.

[qureshia]

Try bikeradar.com less likely to be nicked than eBay

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40...

Might be worth sticking with a top spec Ali frame than risk a carbon that you don't know the history off

Good luck. !!!

[MadDad]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Good man, unless you live in the Peak district and are planning on carting your house around you only need two, BUT (and in case you didn't notice its a big but) the small ring is only for big climbs - if you are found in the little ring on a flat road or slight incline people will line the side of the road, point, laugh and take videos for youtube...........

Just to clarify my point re 'known brands' I didn't mean you should only look at GIANT, Scott, Cannondale etc - I mean recognised bike brands so you don't end up with some ex catalogue bike shaped object........

[Paul Drawmer]

MadDad said:

Play nicely!!!


On a £500 budget I would be looking for a recognised brand and a 105 group set - I think you just need to put in some eBay time!

I did a quick search and this was the first thing I found, depending on your size it would be a great first bike; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/condor-italia-racing-bik...

That looks good, but he appears to have sold it on the 21st May for 450 as well!

[shouldbworking]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-id_8167039.htm...

Sora groupset, mostly carbon, £500.

Only tried the £300 triban 3 myself but it was cracking value for money.

[GaryGlitter]

MadDad said:

Good man, unless you live in the Peak district and are planning on carting your house around you only need two

I used to ride on the road around the Peaks in the 90s, back in them days we only had doubles up front.

Everyone's gone all soft these days.

[spogxy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'm really not down with the kids anymore am I?

[crisisjez]

Get the best frame you can for the bucks. I have no doubt you'll bling it up with wheels etc as you progress
The Cannondale CAAD range is a good place to start.

Edited by crisisjez on Tuesday 5th June 11:29

[okgo]

spogxy said:

I'm really not down with the kids anymore am I?

Its often used in cycling for some reason, i.e. go really hard and faster than others! I think its in his head, however.

Got to agree on the CAAD9 call, although the geometry is very race biased, so no point getting a frame like that and sticking a stack of spacers and an upward pointing stem on it.

[Gizmoish]

crisisjez said:

The Cannondale CAAD range is a good place to start.

Always nice to hear this. I'm new to 'proper road bikes' but I bloody love my CAAD8.

[spogxy]

Here's one I 'smashed up' earlier, woot, rolfmao, lmao etc etc
(am I cool now?)
(init)

[The Walrus]

spogxy said:

Here's one I 'smashed up' earlier, woot, rolfmao, lmao etc etc
(am I cool now?)
(init)

You must really be putting out some wattage with that kind of smash up

[Gizmoish]

I really wouldn't go with Sora. Personal thing, but I really didn't like the little thumb lever.

[okgo]

Honestly, forget what brand it is, not relevant at this price point really. Colnago will be the worst spec under the sun for that money. Go for 105, its leaps ahead of the other groups, pick what looks nice sure, but don't worry about their heritage and all that, as Bianchi and Colnago bikes don't get good till you drop thousands.